MPEP 1901.01
Who Can Protest

1901.01 Who Can Protest [R-08.2012]

Any member of the public, including private persons, corporate entities, and government agencies, may file a protest under 37 CFR 1.291. A protest may be filed by an attorney or other representative on behalf of an unnamed real party in interest. 37 CFR 1.291 does not require that the real party in interest be identified. Where a protest is not the first protest by the real party in interest, 37 CFR 1.291 (b)(2) requires compliance with 37 CFR 1.291 (c)(5). The requirements of 37 CFR 1.291 (c)(5) cannot be avoided by multiple protests submitted by different people representing the same real party in interest.